Weddings: Songs to Choose and Songs to Avoid for the Couples Dance

Even the most casual of wedding ceremonies includes some kind of music. In fact, next to the wedding gown, choice of music plays a huge role in the tone of the ceremony. Some choose very traditional music which is reflected by the attire and design of the tables. Others opt for music that reflects the personalities of the bride and groom. Some include that "special song" the two share.

The music also changes if this is a second wedding as opposed to a first wedding. For example, you might want Frank Sinatra's The Second Time Around as your couple song if you've been married before.

This article includes some of the top songs and song lists, as well as resources for tracking down music for your wedding. There's also a great list of "songs to avoid at all costs" provided by www.askmen.com.

Top Ten Wedding Songs for the Couple Dance
*These are from 2004 from The Wedding Zone.
1. From This Moment On by Shania Twain/Bryan White
2. At Last by Etta James
3. Power Of Love by Celine Dion
4. I Cross My Heart by George Strait
5. Unchained Melody by Righteous Bros.
6. Amazed by Lonestar
7. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
8. I Finally Found Someone by Barbara Streisand/Bryan Adams
9. Always & Forever by Heatwave
10. After All by Cher/Peter Cetera

For more choices see: The Wedding Zone at http://www.weddingzone.net/p-top50a.htm. You can also check out The Wedding Channel for suggestions on music to play for your ceremony, http://weddings.weddingchannel.com.

Here's a Wedding Song Top Ten List with a twist. This comes from the Web site: www.AskMen.com. Their list is of the top 10 songs men MUST avoid when choosing a wedding song. Men, you be the judge. And you be the one to explain it. They are listed backwards to build up to that awful crescendo.

10. Every Breath You Take. The Police. Writers say you should be reminded of a stalker's theme song at your wedding. Most women wouldn't argue with that.

9. Against All Odds, Phil Collins. This is a title that is very misleading and can get you into trouble, say the writers at AskMen.com. They add that if the guests know the words to this, they'll think you are one, big idiot.

8. Without You,Mariah Carey. Screams desperation.

7. This I Promise You, N Sync. I didn't have to read their explanation. Do you have to read the explanation. It's a boy band, for God's sake!

6. Wicked Game, Chris Isaak. I can't believe this one would even be thought of. It sounds sultry enough, but geez, it involves Tom Cruise, and no one wants to think of him at their wedding.

5. Back at One, Brian McKnight. Let's just say it's trite.

4. You are so Beautiful, Joe Cocker. Great sentiments, but the singer is a bit wild and out of control sounding, and the music itself is too slow to even slow dance to.

3. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, Bryan Adams. It comes from the Robin Hood soundtrack. Not a bad choice, but it's overdone at this point.

2. I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston. The writers say it's more about separation than union. I say there's a better reason at this point. Hard to hear this song nowadays and not think about Whitney's maladies with Bobby. It's not the kind of thing you want hanging over your head on your wedding day.

1. My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion. It's not so much the song as the fact that it's not exactly uplifting for a reception.

The guys at AskMen.com tell men (and prospective brides) to simply listen to the lyrics of the songs before choosing, as too many songs are chosen based on the movie that featured the song. Note also that some of the top choices for the couples dance also appears on the AskMen.com list. This may fall into the "I told you so" later category.